Bulgaria

LEGAL BASIS

Law on Patents and Utility Models Registration, in force since June 1, 1993, with latest amendments as of May 18, 2012.

MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS

Paris Convention, Stockholm Act.

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), as from May 21, 1984.

European Patent Convention, as of July 1, 2002.

FILING REQUIREMENTS

Power of Attorney (no legalization);

3 specifications;

3 sets of drawings, size 21 x 29.7 cm (format A4);

Priority document, if priority is claimed.

REMARKS

National Phase of PCT: both under Chapter I and Chapter II: 31 months. Validity: issued after full examination - valid for 20 years from filing date. Annuities: accumulated and due within three months after the granting decision; subsequent annuities are payable in advance, before the anniversary of the filing date. Opposition: possible within three months after the date of publication of the patent application, and any time after the registration of the patent.

LEGAL BASIS

Law on Marks and Geographical Indications, in force since December 15, 1999, with latest amendments in force as of March 10, 2011.

Regulation for Drafting, Filing and Examination of the Applications for Registration of Marks and Geographical Indications, amended on September 11, 2007.

MEMBERSHIP IN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS

Paris Convention, Stockholm Act.

Madrid Agreement, as of May 1, 1985.

Madrid Protocol, as of October 2, 2001.

FILING REQUIREMENTS

Power of Attorney (no legalization);

Priority document, if priority is claimed.

REMARKS

Kinds of protection: trademarks or service marks may consist of words, including names of persons, letters, numerals, drawings, figures, form of the article or the packing thereof, combination of colors, sound signs or any combination of such signs. Besides the original version, filing of word mark applications in the Bulgarian Cyrillic alphabet is highly recommended.Classification: International. Obligation to use the registered mark: compulsory; if not used within five years after the registration date, the registration can be cancelled upon request of an interested party.Duration - renewals: 10-year period from the filing date, renewable for further 10-year periods. Opposition: possible within three months from the publication of the trademark application.

LEGAL BASIS

Law on Industrial Designs, in force since December 15, 1999, with latest amendments in force as of February 12, 2011.

Regulation for Drafting, Filing and Examination of the Applications for Registration of Industrial Designs, with latest amendments of February 14, 2006.

General Information

General Remarks

Until the end of 1989, the People's Republic of Bulgaria was a country with a planned economy based on socialist (Marxist-Leninist) organization. Since 1990, dramatic political changes have taken place in Bulgaria. Both the political and economic structures are evolving towards more liberalization.Member of the European Union as of January 1, 2007.